Have you finished the game without spirit summons?

[Mr. World]

I'm seeing a lot of people are against this mechanic to the point of some kind of gatekeeping. But how many people actually completely ignore them in their game I wonder.

I've attempted make a run without them, enjoyed the extra challenge too, but got impatient late-game and used it on snowfield area. Have you beat the game without calls?

[Norm Macdonald's Ghost]

I know we must be hyperbolic at all times, but typing a few words on ♥♥♥♥♥♥ forum isn't really gatekeeping. Simply avert your eyes.

[psheue]

Yes. My first runs are always blind/solo. I accidentally killed Malenia with my mimic, tho.

[cybercybercybercyber4]

I used one in a crypt with my spellcaster build because of fp issues. On my melee char i summoned nepheli against godrick out of lazyness. On my challenge run i used a golden sign against radahn in second phase to prevent his unavoidable death combo.

So technically the answer is "no".

On my current run ill ignore all summons though.

[Dailao]

Originally posted by Norm Macdonald's Ghost:

I know we must be hyperbolic at all times, but typing a few words on ♥♥♥♥♥♥ forum isn't really gatekeeping. Simply avert your eyes.

Of course it is gatekeeping.
It fosters a sense in the community that certain tasks only matter when done in a specific way and poisons the discussions about the game.

This of course is extremely silly since the developers put in all those tools on purpose to be used in the first place.

[Urist Microcline]

I don't use them but only because I don't find them fun.

[Tao314zdin]

Not on the first run, simply because I aimed at finishing the game at 70+17 for invasion purposes, so I used a +7 summon for a couple of late game bosses (since I was not sure if ashes count for the matchmaking, honestly they should). Malenia/Eldenbeast I even called upon actual players to finish the run.

But then if you play without level/grade restriction - you simply go to like 150 and wrechball everything solo, like actual faceroll with exception of mb Malenia where a bit of attention to the screen is required even at 150+25. Especially if you break the game by forcing weapon upgrade, then some bosses in early/mid game die in like 2 hits....

[so007]

i use them always. its super cool going to battle with a gang of summons. especially against multiple boss rooms.
go bloodhound step , call black knife tiche and ♥♥♥♥ everyone up

[John]

I only summon at BS scenarios, like the three crystalians. Are they really difficult?, no they are piss easy on their own. Together?, the only thing i do for like a minute is "dodge, dodge, dodge, dodge, dodge, dodge, dodge, block, dodge, block, block, block, run away, regen stamina, dodge, dodge, block, oh finally an opening where i can attack" This isn't a fun mechanic, it's just waiting endlessly for an opening. So i use a summon and just get that fight over with in like 30 seconds as it's nothing special to look at.

[echo_ML]

I used them on my first playthrough because i was new to souls games but now i rarely use them except half the time on fourskin duo.

[Sephylon]

Originally posted by John:

I only summon at BS scenarios, like the three crystalians. Are they really difficult?, no they are piss easy on their own. Together?, the only thing i do for like a minute is "dodge, dodge, dodge, dodge, dodge, dodge, dodge, block, dodge, block, block, block, run away, regen stamina, dodge, dodge, block, oh finally an opening where i can attack" This isn't a fun mechanic, it's just waiting endlessly for an opening. So i use a summon and just get that fight over with in like 30 seconds as it's nothing special to look at.

Guard counter with barricade shield makes short work of them from my exp

[John]

Originally posted by Sephylon:

Originally posted by John:

I only summon at BS scenarios, like the three crystalians. Are they really difficult?, no they are piss easy on their own. Together?, the only thing i do for like a minute is "dodge, dodge, dodge, dodge, dodge, dodge, dodge, block, dodge, block, block, block, run away, regen stamina, dodge, dodge, block, oh finally an opening where i can attack" This isn't a fun mechanic, it's just waiting endlessly for an opening. So i use a summon and just get that fight over with in like 30 seconds as it's nothing special to look at.

Guard counter with barricade shield makes short work of them from my exp

From my experience they do a barrage of attacks and it stunned me mid guard counter, constantly, there were no real opening for like a minute. I got tired of that routine real quick. There was no real skill, it was just boring, so i ended it quicker than i got bored of it.

[lar unuruur]

i summon every npc and every ashes i posess. they make everything more entertaining. once i leveled max imps and just watched how they kill quite a few bosses without me even lift a finger. amusing.
but when i am at stage to learn boss, then no npc, no ashes. same with all ds games.

[Lord Bob]

Originally posted by John:

Originally posted by Sephylon:

Guard counter with barricade shield makes short work of them from my exp

From my experience they do a barrage of attacks and it stunned me mid guard counter, constantly, there were no real opening for like a minute. I got tired of that routine real quick. There was no real skill, it was just boring, so i ended it quicker than i got bored of it.

Learn to parry and start with the Crystallian wielding a spear. Also use a hammer to then charge a heavy attack instead of riposting it. Repeat until it cracks

But I agree, the trio fight is rather unfun as it is.

[Toast]

I use spirit summons. Don’t really care about what’s deemed an appropriate play style. The way I see it, if Miyazaki didn’t want us using, ghost power, he wouldn’t put it in the game. Npc summons have been put in most Fromsoft games. Play however you like, don’t worry about others.

[relizera]

The first time I played, I admit I did the first half without summons and the other half using mimic. Finished the game, but I didn't get that feeling of 'deserved'.
I'm currently creating a new char for the DLC and playing all bosses without summons. Just beat Malenia yesterday and now I feel that I deserve the achievement.